Mark 9:9-24, Living in the “Already but Not Yet” (3)

Having come down from the Mount of Transfiguration the four encountered a definite “already but not yet” (ABNY) situation.

·       Mark 9:14-29: With the transfiguration as a backdrop …

o   9:14-16: “contention.”  First, there was an argument going on with the Scribes.  Jesus asked them what it was about, and I am not sure if there was an answer.  All we see is that someone from the crowd mentioned the failed healing attempt by the other disciples.  Probably the Scribes jumped on this to deny Jesus’ was the Son of God.  In Jesus kingdom there will be no contention about who He is.  ABNY!

o   9:17-18: “ineptitude.”  The Twelve had been given authority by Christ to cast out demons (Mk. 6:7-13).  When the Twelve returned from that period of ministry they had experienced much “success.”  But here, they were unable to cast out this demon.  In Jesus kingdom demons will not be a problem, nor will sickness.  We will come back to this later.  ABNY!

o   9:19: “frustration.”  I hope this word is appropriate.  Jesus had “holy frustration.”  He is not frustrated that He had to perform another miracle and He was tired of all that.  He was frustrated with unbelief.  The Scribes continued to think they found weakness in Jesus.  The people had not gotten the point, after many signs and wonders, that Jesus was fully capable.  In His kingdom there will be no impatience, even with unbelief.  ABNY!

o   9:20-24: “if you can … help my unbelief.”  Jesus’ frustration is still present in the exchange with the father.  The father pleads with Jesus, “if you can.”  Jesus seems to respond by saying there is no “if you can” with Me!  All things are possible to him who believes.  The response of the father, in my view, shows “repentant faith.”  “I do believe, but my faith is not very strong.  Help my unbelief.”  In the ABNY world, faith is the issue, and we must be willing to acknowledge the struggle!  I believe we see this throughout the NT.  For example, Paul wrote to the Galatians because of their struggle in trusting Christ and His work versus the temptation to live our lives by the power of the flesh.  But there was no giving in on the matter.  Paul called them to faith and faith alone (Gal. 2:20).  The letter to the Hebrews deals with a struggle of faith, the struggle to be at rest in faith while suffering persecution.  But again, there was no giving in on the part of the writer.  Those Jewish believers were called to trust God (Heb. 12:1-2).